Page 66 of Resilient Rhythms
I blink at her, trying to process my thoughts.
How the hell am I supposed to tell Maverick I’m pregnant?
Will he bolt? Panic, the way I clearly am? Will he resent me?
Does he even want children? Yes, he said one day, he does.
One day. Not right now when we just solidified our marriage and our future. Not when Bran is still out there, planning his revenge.
I frown. Is Bran still out there? I don’t even know what happened with Bran.
I don’t know anything.
I look around the room wildly, but Kimberly understands what I need. She passes me a notepad and pen.
I scrawl out a question.
“How long have I been here?” Kimberly reads before looking at me. “About four hours.”
Four hours. Shit, my dad and Mav must be panicking.
“The doctor spoke to your husband and family. He explained that you’re okay but in shock and needing some rest. They don’t know all the details, but they know that you’re not in any immediate danger. You can see them whenever you’re ready.”
I sigh. I want to see Maverick. I want to feel his arms around me and hug him close and breathe him in and know, deep down, that I’m safe.
I don’t have to tell him about the baby right in this moment, do I? Shouldn’t I leave the hospital first? Shouldn’t we focus on the issue of Bran before we segue into family planning?
“Mckenna?” Kimberly looks at me expectantly.
I nod and jot down another note.
She reads it and beams at me. I fight the urge to roll my eyes.
“Of course,” Kimberly says, standing. “I’ll let your husband know he can come back.” She leaves the hospital room.
I relax against the pillows and look up at the ceiling, as if seeking the wisdom of a higher being. But I don’t know what to ask for or who to pray to.
All I want is to be okay. For all of us. Maverick, me, and our baby. My fingers brush against my abdomen again.
I close my eyes and try to recall my childhood, but the memories are hazy. Everything is slightly distorted. Pulling in a breath, I decide to deal with things one at a time.
Firstly, I need to know what’s happened with Bran and what my options are in moving forward with my case. Then, I canfocus on Maverick and our growing family—specifically, telling Mav that I’m going to have his baby.
The door to my hospital room pushes open. Mav’s eyes brighten the second they find mine and I breathe out a sigh of relief.
“I’m here, beauty.” He moves to my bedside and wraps me in his arms.
I melt the moment he holds me, knowing I’m safe, knowing I can breathe again. Tears prick my eyes as I inhale a wheezy breath.
“I’m here, love. I’m not going anywhere,” Maverick promises, making me cry harder.
Does he mean that? Will he really stay once he knows the truth? Once he knows everything I’m too scared to say?
SEVENTEEN
MAV
She’s terrified.Her skin is pale, her eyes are shifty, and she’s twisting her fingers the way she does when she’s nervous. She keeps biting that plump bottom lip and dragging her hand through her hair.
